The sad situation in our country and humanity is not solely the pandemic we are facing, but the ignorance that has caused this worldwide spread. The research and advice from doctors, historians and public officials regarding the Coronavirus did not seem to infiltrate the minds of the naïve. Some viewed this as a problem for Asia, but not the United States. Other considered it a hoax, by support of our President. Yet others that hold a respectable position in the public eye in the sports industry, did not help matters either. Although there has been some previous ignorance, the national associations are taking strides to protect the fans.
Rudy Gobert, a center for the Utah Jazz, did not take the Coronavirus seriously and mocked the disease by touching multiple microphones after a post-game interview. He was diagnosed with the Coronavirus on March 11th. After careful consideration, along with a board of directors and health officials, Adam Silver, president of the National Basketball Association, made a difficult decision to cease all regular season games for 2020 that same day. With a proposed 450 players in the NBA, along with their friends, families, and colleagues, Silver could not wait. Arenas full of thousands of spectators could have resulted in a massacre, after discovering six more NBA players had been affected. Gobert received backlash on social media platforms, one person commenting, “This is karma for you 100%, Clown, Trash,” on his Instagram page. Silver exhibited a social responsibility to the American public, when unfortunately, one of his star players did not. Gary Bruce Bettman, commissioner of the National Hockey League is taking another approach. They are “on pause” until further notice, instead of merely cancelling the rest of the season. There are no confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in the league, but Bettman can’t take any chances. Some believed that the NBA holds “super spreaders” of the Coronavirus, because of the proximity of their playing style, but the NHL has already experienced a pandemic. Hamby Shore, a star player for the Ottawa Senators, died from the Spanish Flu in 1918, followed by many other deaths in associated sports leagues in the United States of the time. Bettman told ESPN that he wants to “keep our players safe and be a good example.” Until then, Gritty is keeping us smiling with his St. Paddy’s Day outfits and Tweets about toilet paper.
Everyone is in flux because of the Coronavirus and so is the world of sports. With a first-time mock NFL draft, players and fans are concerned with the outcome and the future of the fall season. The MLB has delayed spring training and is considering historically used game schedules to keep statistics and records consistent. The NBA and NHL are in discussion about how to plan next year’s season. Fans can remain involved with the ever-changing information about their favorite teams and follow sports media to stay up to date. Unfortunately, we’re all doing this from our couch instead of in the bleachers.
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